Less hazard damage per building is expected in Shady Spring than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shady Spring gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #6 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1989.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Shady Spring faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Shady Spring’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shady Spring, and Shady Spring’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Cold waves add 1%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A #6 of 61 in West Virginia; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shady Spring’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical West Virginia town has higher expected damage than 73% of U.S. towns; within the state, Shady Spring has less expected damage per building than 92% of West Virginia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $508K a year in losses across Shady Spring: $415K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shady Spring flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shady Spring, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shady Spring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Raleigh County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shady Spring
Disasters that paid out in Shady Spring itself (aid to households or repair grants to Shady Spring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides19 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides8 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides14 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Raleigh County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Raleigh County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Shady Spring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shady Spring archive →Shady Spring and its neighbors
Shady Spring has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shady Spring | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Daniels | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Shady Spring faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Shady Spring
Is Shady Spring at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shady Spring has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #6 of 61 in West Virginia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shady Spring flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Shady Spring since 1989, $30K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Shady Spring in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Raleigh County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shady Spring?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shady Spring’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Shady Spring?
By FEMA money that reached Shady Spring, Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides (2010): 19 households applied for aid, $46K approved.
Is Shady Spring at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Shady Spring’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shady Spring.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shady Spring’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.